Argentina's Fernandez gets hero's welcome before court date

Former Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez, left, is greeted by followers upon her arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, April 11, 2016. After spending four months in Patagonia, Fernandez' supporters gave her a hero's welcome at a Buenos Aires airport before she faces a court over her possible role in an alleged scheme to manipulate the country's currency.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
(The Associated Press)

Former Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez waves to supporters upon her arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, April 11, 2016. Fernandez' supporters gave her a hero's welcome at a Buenos Aires airport at her arrival after she spent four month in Patagonia before she faces a court over her possible role in an alleged scheme to manipulate the country's currency.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
(The Associated Press)

Former Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez is greeted by followers upon her arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, April 11, 2016. After spending four months in Patagonia, Fernandez' supporters gave her a hero's welcome at a Buenos Aires airport before she faces a court over her possible role in an alleged scheme to manipulate the country's currency.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
(The Associated Press)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Supporters of former President Cristina Fernandez gave her a hero's welcome Monday night at a Buenos Aires airport before she faces a court over her possible role in an alleged scheme to manipulate Argentina's currency.

Fernandez dominated the political landscape during eight years in office and left in December with high approval ratings despite economic woes and links to corruptions scandals.

Since ending a tenure marked by near daily television speeches and constant tweets, she has lived away from the limelight in her home in the southern province of Santa Cruz.

Flanked by police and illuminated by camera flashes, Fernandez smiled and waved at thousands of sympathizers who encouraged her with banners and chants ahead of her testimony Wednesday.

She is being investigated for possible involvement in a purported scheme to manipulate financial markets to keep the Argentine peso's value inflated, leading to a plunge in central bank reserves.

A federal prosecutor also recently asked to include her in two separate investigations involving allegations of money laundering. In addition, a businessman with close ties to her family has been arrested in another corruption probe.